5 Reasons why you need to upgrade from XP now.

Despite recently celebrating its eleventh birthday XP is still the second most common Windows Operating System in Australia after Windows 7. But it’s showing its age. Here are 5 good reasons why you need to bite the bullet and upgrade to the latest Windows software:

Support - Microsoft will end support for Windows XP on April 8th 2014. This means there will be no more updates, patches or fixes for known issues. You’re on your own.

Reliability – Windows XP is nowhere near as reliable as Windows 7 or 8 and it takes longer to fix when something goes wrong. Most PCs installed with XP are now quite old and they are more likely to develop faults. The net result is greater disruption to your business.

Compatibility – Nowadays, software is developed and tested on Windows 7 and 8 but not necessarily tested on XP. This means you run the risk of installing new software that is unstable on your aging PC and may cause it to crash more often.

Security – It can no longer be said that your XP software is adequately protecting you against the latest Internet nasties. XP is much less secure than the latest Windows version which leaves you more vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Performance – The latest Windows versions are noticeably faster than XP. Over a month you’ll save hours of productivity by using Windows 7/8 because it boots up much more quickly and runs programs with far less delays.

Upgrading from XP is not straight forward and we suggest that you check first to make sure your favourite programs are windows 7/8 compatible. All of your files, settings and folder structures will be lost when you do a fresh install and they will need to be backed up prior to upgrading. The whole process might take hours to complete so if you need assistance with your upgrade then please get in touch.

Compatibility is the reason I continue to keep windows XP installed and running.

HP have completely ignored users who bought a line of AIO printers several years back by not providing 64 bit drivers to enable scan over Ethernet, when it was provided for Windows XP. They ignored Vista x64, and subsequently Windows 7 x64, and now Windows 8 x64.

I will continue to keep Windows XP to manage and scan documents with my AIO printer, as trashing an expensive AIO printer which works perfectly, is just plain stupid.

Lu Beranek // 06/06/2013 12:02 PM

Personally I prefer Win 7, however, the thought of firstly starting off with a clean sweep and installing a new OS followed by re-installing about a 100 programs and then checking which ones do and which ones don't and their associated files re-instated and re-organised gives me the willoping flibbets. If my cloning program doesn't shape up, I'll have to have a re-think.

I'm astounded that a company like MS with their gargantuan resources are apparently unable to create a smooth transition. Even mini companies are able to set up compatibility lists and work arounds, shows contempt for customers.

T. JESSOP // 19/06/2013 2:19 PM

Or you could just switch over to Apple and do yourself a big favour.

Kingsley Dyson // 21/06/2013 9:42 AM

I have software that I spent thousands of hour developing customising code for that software. The softeare will not run under Win 7. I have been using the same code since Win 95 with no problem. I cannot afford the money to buy a new version of the software nor time to re-write the code. Currently I have to cart around two laptops: Outlook 2010 is buggy on 64bit. MS dropped functionality that I use from Excel in Office 2007. Excel 2010 is buggy and this hasnt been fixed in Excel 2013. I HAD to get 64 bit Win7 as my Cad software requires this. I am forced to keep running Office 2003 on 32bit Win XP due to aforementioned MS Office issues. Until MS get their act together, Win XP and Office 2003 will live on for me - supported or not, at least it WORKS!

Rhys Greenhalgh // 26/06/2013 10:19 AM

I have windows 7 and have loaded windows virtual pc running xp and 98 for programs that are not compatible with Win7 and take disc images and I have a boot disc so I can clone the whole computer for backup. With Win7 the disc image only takes 50 minutes for 192Gig data on the hard drive using USB 3.0 to an external hard drive.

Mistakes: Staff Purchase makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information but takes no responsibility for any editorial, photographic or typographic errors. Staff Purchase reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update information and offers at any time without prior notice.